Sharing my latest struggle

[Angchop]

I wanted to share with you all a struggle I just went through. I should have brought it here awhile ago, but at the time I felt like I could handle it on my own.

A few months ago I was experiencing some pain in my abdomen area, which I believe was caused by scar tissue from past surgeries. I had started working out, and it had really made my middle hurt bad. I had quite a few pain pills leftover that the vet had prescribed our dog Molly for her hip pain. I knew that they were commonly prescribed to humans as well, so without consulting my doctor I started taking them now and then. The prescription was for Tramadol.I did some reading and found that they are a non narcotic mild to moderate pain killer. All was going well, and I felt pain free and normal once again. I found that it would take a little more each time to get the same effect as time went on. I kept taking them and found that I was becoming dependent on them to feel like I could function. Some subtle changes began happening, my personality changed and I was irritable at times. I found that I had a really "don't care" attitude and I hid all the pill taking from my significant other. Deep down I felt a little charge, like I was getting away with something.

I quit taking them the first time, and after a week, I started again. I felt like death for that week. Well, 2 weeks ago, I quit again. I went through some serious withdrawals...hot flashes, chills, insomnia, mood swings, etc. I told my boyfriend what was going on with me, and he has helped me get through it. The pills are disposed of, and I am now starting to feel more myself. I am reading books again, and I am here on the forum more too. It scared me how something that seemed like it was helping, could creep up and take control of me.
What would be the best way for me to detox from these? I read that the tramadol has something similar to an antidepressant in it, and I am sure that's part of why I felt so bad. Thanks for listening :)

 

[Altair]

I wanted to share with you all a struggle I just went through. I should have brought it here awhile ago, but at the time I felt like I could handle it on my own.

A few months ago I was experiencing some pain in my abdomen area, which I believe was caused by scar tissue from past surgeries. I had started working out, and it had really made my middle hurt bad. I had quite a few pain pills leftover that the vet had prescribed our dog Molly for her hip pain. I knew that they were commonly prescribed to humans as well, so without consulting my doctor I started taking them now and then. The prescription was for Tramadol.I did some reading and found that they are a non narcotic mild to moderate pain killer. All was going well, and I felt pain free and normal once again. I found that it would take a little more each time to get the same effect as time went on. I kept taking them and found that I was becoming dependent on them to feel like I could function. Some subtle changes began happening, my personality changed and I was irritable at times. I found that I had a really "don't care" attitude and I hid all the pill taking from my significant other. Deep down I felt a little charge, like I was getting away with something.

I quit taking them the first time, and after a week, I started again. I felt like death for that week. Well, 2 weeks ago, I quit again. I went through some serious withdrawals...hot flashes, chills, insomnia, mood swings, etc. I told my boyfriend what was going on with me, and he has helped me get through it. The pills are disposed of, and I am now starting to feel more myself. I am reading books again, and I am here on the forum more too. It scared me how something that seemed like it was helping, could creep up and take control of me.
What would be the best way for me to detox from these? I read that the tramadol has something similar to an antidepressant in it, and I am sure that's part of why I felt so bad. Thanks for listening :)

Actually, tramadol is opioid so a narcotic by definition and I wouldn't recommend to take it. You can try DMSO ointment instead. And why are you assuming that the pain was caused by scar tissue past surgeries? When did you have these surgeries? It's very easy just to take a pill and forget the pain but you should try to find the real cause of your pain first. Is it external or internal pain? What about your diet?

 

[Lizziespreparetogovegan]

Hi Angela, good to hear that you've managed to ditch this drug. I can't really offer advice on detox here but thought I'd briefly add my experience of Tramadol.

I had a kidney stone about a year and a half a go and spent an agonising day in A&E with it. I was given morphine in the hospital and was sent home with Tramadol. I have to say I had the worst experience ever on this drug. I took one dose late in the evening and experienced severe anxiety, insomnia, terrible dreams and a sense that I wasn't in my body. I literally felt like I turned into another person for 24 hours on this drug and like I was on a 'bad trip'. It was absolutely awful and nothing remotely like the effects of morphine which is obviously also an opiate.

I'm actually wondering whether your experiences were partially side effects and not withdrawal, which for me seemed to last well into the next day and thinking about it, perhaps even the day after. It really was a terrible experience and personally I can't dissuade people enough from ever taking this drug, no matter how much pain you're in!

 

[Gaby]

People with a lot of pain can be completely drugged up and shut off from it by drugs alone. Tramadol is in the second step on WHO's ladder for pain management. Quite a number of people take much more than that on a regular basis. No wonder they don't care about anything or anyone. They are completely numbed because as you go up a step, morphine, mind altering anesthetics and morphine-like drugs are involved.

I'm glad you are off that drug. Hopefully DMSO and/or FIR sauna will manage your pain?

I think taking some extra vitamin C these days will help you detox, also supplements which you may have such as NAC, ALA.

If it is scar and fibrous tissue pain, medical taping could help too.

 

[Angchop]

Actually, tramadol is opioid so a narcotic by definition and I wouldn't recommend to take it. You can try DMSO ointment instead. And why are you assuming that the pain was caused by scar tissue past surgeries? When did you have these surgeries? It's very easy just to take a pill and forget the pain but you should try to find the real cause of your pain first. Is it external or internal pain? What about your diet?

Sorry that I was not clear enough Altair. I had bladder cancer which required a huge surgery, which you could read about in the thread titled Bladder Cancer. Sorry I don't know how to insert a link. I Had started working out my core muscles when all this began. I went to the doctor, and after many tests and scans, the doctor said it was scar tissue, and weak muscle in my abdomen area. I have found that if I don't work the mddle out, then I don't have as much pain. I will try the DMSO ointment, thank you for the suggestion. As far as diet, I am on the ketogenic diet.

I'm glad you are off that drug. Hopefully DMSO and/or FIR sauna will manage your pain?

I think taking some extra vitamin C these days will help you detox, also supplements which you may have such as NAC, ALA.

If it is scar and fibrous tissue pain, medical taping could help too.

Thanks Gaby, I will up my vitamin C and add NAC and ALA. I have been using my FIR blanket and it does help. The pain is bearable as long as I don't do a bunch of core exercises, so I am just going to be a little squishy in the middle from now on. :)

I'm actually wondering whether your experiences were partially side effects and not withdrawal, which for me seemed to last well into the next day and thinking about it, perhaps even the day after. It really was a terrible experience and personally I can't dissuade people enough from ever taking this drug, no matter how much pain you're in!

This could very well be true Zenith. I don't know if it was side effects, or withdrawals, but it was awful. It has been 2 weeks now, and I am still once in awhile having a chill or hot flash but it is way better. I will definitely be dissuading anyone thinking about using this for pain management.